Birding the Bot River Lagoon, Rooisand Nature Reserve

The beautiful Bot River Lagoon is a prime bird watching spot in the Overberg. It is incorporated into the Rooisands Nature Reserve, part of the Kogelberg Biosphere, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is a bird hide and walkways create accessibility for all.

The habitat is a mix of open water, lagoon edge, marsh and coastal thicket. Populations differ depending on the time of year. The Rooisand Ramble is an easy 2 hour walk of about 5 km and the trail will take you to the northern side of the estuary, which usually presents far better sightings.

Some of the specials that will excite keen birders are African Openbill, European Oystercatcher, African Grass-Owl and Hottentot Buttonquail, with Southern Tchagra along the access road.

In addition to the birding, you may be lucky enough to see the herd of feral horses, which roams the flats of the estuary, made up from the descendants of horses that were abandoned after the Anglo-Boer War.

The Rooisand Nature Reserve is situated halfway between Kleinmond and Arabella Golf Estate along the R44.